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How did James Reese Europe serve the Harlem Hellfighters in addition to leading their band?
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Harlem Hellfighters
Members of the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters) posing with their awards for gallantry in combat.
In addition to his role as a bandleader, James Reese Europe served the 15th New York Infantry (later the 369th Infantry, known as the Harlem Hellfighters) as a lieutenant in command of one of the regiment's machine gun companies.1
Beyond his military duties, Europe viewed his service as a vital opportunity to foster a powerful institution for the development of African American manhood in Harlem. He believed that the creation of strong, organized groups was essential for the political and economic advancement of his race, and he actively recruited his collaborator Noble Sissle to join the unit to help build this community strength.1